The action is included in a list of initiatives associated with Bill 66, the proposed Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, even though none of the bill's dozens of legislative amendments pertain to the Assessment Act.

It's estimated that equitable apportionment could push residential rates 2.2 per cent higher than the proposed 1.8 per cent increase for fiscal year 2020, while commercial rates would drop and industrial rates remain the same.

Amazon to open second office in Vancouver

Amazon is opening a second corporate office in Vancouver, signing a lease for 150,000 square feet in a new, nine-storey office building at the southwest corner of Dunsmuir Street and Homer Street.

The office will allow Amazon to double its workforce in the city from 1,000 to 2,000. Designed by B+H Architects, the office by Oxford Properties is scheduled to open in 2020. The Seattle-based company’s first Vancouver office opened in 2015.

“Amazon is excited to continue growing our workforce throughout Canada,” said Alexandre Gagnon, vice president of Amazon Canada and Mexico. “We are among the largest employers of software engineers in Canada and look forward to continuing to create new job opportunities for Canadians.”

In addition to its office in Vancouver, Amazon also operates fulfillment centres in Delta and New Westminster, and a subsidiary Abebooks.com, based in Victoria.

“Vancouver’s innovation economy is booming and it’s exciting to have Amazon expand here, adding valuable job space for 1,000 more employees,” says Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Vancouver’s leading the way with the fastest growing, most resilient and greenest economy in Canada, and companies from all over the world, like Amazon, are moving to Vancouver with well-paying jobs to be a part of our success.”

The company is also expanding its operations into Alberta, reportedly building a 600,000-square-foot distribution centre in Balzac, just north of Calgary.

Amazon has still yet to announce the location of its second headquarters dubbed HQ2. The tech giant received more than 200 proposals from cities across North America and expects to invest more than $5 billion in construction.

As utility costs continue to climb, it’s no surprise that building managers in both new and old buildings are experiencing increasing pressure from their tenants to take advantage of cost savings opportunities and to demonstrate that they have achieved the savings.

Mould is a common problem, particularly in buildings with damp basements or after a flood. Though mould exists everywhere, amplified mould growth can cause severe health problems and lead to costly damages, including litigation.